Perth sales activity on the rise

Sales activity in the Perth metro area increased significantly in February.

REIWA President Hayden Groves said the market had enjoyed a healthy rebound following the Christmas and New Year dip.

“reiwa.com data shows sales activity in Perth lifted 16 per cent over the month and five per cent when compared to November 2015.

“We’ve also seen that weekly sales over the last three weeks are higher than they were at the same time last year. While it’s too early to call this a trend it’s a good indicator that mobility in the market is beginning to improve,” Mr Groves said.

At a sub-regional level, the Central sub-region had the strongest increase in sales activity over the month lifting a healthy 37 per cent, followed by the North West sub-region with a 24 per cent lift.

“Baldivis in the South West sub-region and Canning Vale in the South East sub-region were the top selling suburbs in February, followed by Scarborough in the Central sub-region,” Mr Groves said.

Perth’s median house price etched back 1.1 per cent in the three months to February, coming in at $529,000.

Listings

Mr Groves said there had been a three per cent increase in listings stock in February which wasn’t surprising as vendors traditionally returned to the market at the start of the year.

“This is a marginal increase given the time of year, but it’s significant to note that listings are now eight per cent lower than they were in November which suggests this could be the early stages of a correction in a market of prolonged higher than average stock levels,” Mr Groves said.

Rental market

Perth’s overall median rent price held firm at $400 per week in the three months to February 2016.

In terms of houses and units, Mr Groves said the median price for both was unchanged over the month at $400 and $380 per week respectively, but each had dipped $10 per week when compared to November 2015.

“While tenants are still in a good position to secure a competitively priced lease in Perth, it’s encouraging for investors that rent prices are appearing to steady in 2016,” Mr Groves said.

Rental listings in the Perth metro area declined three per cent in February but remain above the long term average.

DEBATE OVER BEST WAY TO EASE CONGESTION

PLANS to upgrade and extend Henley Brook Avenue to Reid Highway are well advanced and construction is expected to start within two years.

A map of the proposed Henley Brook Avenue extension.

The project aims to relieve congestion issues on West Swan Road, where traffic jams regularly extend several kilometres from the Reid Highway intersection during peak hour.

Once the four-lane Henley Brook Avenue extension is complete, West Swan Road will become a dedicated tourist and local traffic route.

The City of Swan also proposes West Swan Road be closed north of Gnangara Road. This is set to be complemented by the Perth-Darwin Highway, which is planned to divert heavy traffic away from Great Northern Highway – the Swan Valley’s other major tourism route.

A preliminary cost estimate based on the concept design is $36 million, split between developer contributions and City funding.

The plan has created divisions between candidates in the City of Swan’s Swan Valley/Gidgegannup ward election over the approach to reducing traffic.

Mayor Charlie Zannino is pushing for the four-lane upgrade of Henley Brook Avenue, while candidate Rod Henderson believes Lord Street should be upgraded to four lanes first, followed by a different method of extending Henley Brook Avenue.

Mr Henderson said he supported the eventual extension of Henley Brook Avenue to Youle-Dean Road so it could connect to Lord Street.

“There’s definitely a need to get traffic off West Swan Road and currently Lord Street is where most of the traffic goes, so it makes sense to upgrade that first,” he said. Mr Henderson claimed developers in the area would only fund a two-lane extension, meaning City of Swan would be out of pocket.

But Cr Zannino said the relevant approvals had been finalised and anticipated construction would start in 12-24 months.

“Both Henley Brook Avenue and Lord Street will carry the same amount of traffic in the future due to the amount of development flagged in the area,” he said.

Land acquisition will be required to complete the Henley Brook Avenue project, many of the properties are already owned by the City or the State Government.

Swan chief executive Mike Foley said the City was preparing detailed plans and would speak to affected landowners “in due course”.

Mr Foley said no decision had been made on where the project will start first.

“There are a number of factors to be taken into account such as the availability of funding, service locations, and land acquisition before the City can determine which section will be constructed first,” he said.

The Advocate contacted Swan Valley/Gidgegannup ward candidate Andrew Kiely but he did not respond before deadline.

LWP Property Group were out at Annie’s Landing, Ellenbrook this week and have posted these photos on their Facebook page stating that “the new primary school is really starting to take shape, which is super exciting to see. It is due to be opened in time for Term 1 next year”

PLAN FOR FREIGHT TERMINAL

LAND north of Ellenbrook has been flagged for a freight terminal linking the State’s north-west with Perth’s north metropolitan area.

The WA Planning Commission last month assumed control over the land, which is between the future Perth-Darwin Highway, Perth to Geraldton railway line and Great Northern Highway.

Eventually the land will become the South Bullsbrook Intermodal Terminal and WAPC control ensures it will be reserved for this purpose.

About six private properties will be directly affected by the rezoning.

The proposed terminal is surrounded by about 2500 hectares of land proposed to be zoned as industrial in the Metropolitan Region Scheme.

It is also next to RAAF Base Pearce which, among other locations, has been floated as a potential site in the State Government’s search for a second commercial airport in Perth.

City of Swan chief executive Mike Foley said an airport would be convenient for residents in Swan’s northern and eastern suburbs.

“The most important consideration would be the impact on the RAAF Base Pearce airspace,” he said.

“One of the reasons why Perth Airport flight paths are restricted was because of the Jandakot and Pearce airspace.

“The purpose of the Planning Control Area means that all planning decisions on the subject land will be determined by the WAPC. This is to ensure that future development of the subject sites will not prejudice the planning for the future intermodal (terminal) in Bullsbrook.”

Swan Hills MLA Frank Alban met senior government officials recently to lobby for a third interchange off the Perth-Darwin Highway near Maralla Road or Warbrook Road to lead in to the future industrial site.

He said another interchange would benefit residents by removing the temptation for local commercial traffic to join Northlink WA at Ellenbrook, rather than an interchange leading to the industrial area.

Planning Minister John Day said the potential for an intermodal (road-rail) freight terminal at Bullsbrook had been identified in the draft framework.

“Such a terminal would boost employment opportunities in the area and make the most of existing and proposed transport infrastructure in the North-East sub-region,” he said.

The City of Swan also has its eyes on the area as its primary employment centre, the Malaga industrial area, reaches capacity.

Mr Foley said the proximity to Ellenbrook and Midland’s growing skilled workforce was a positive sign.

“(Opening) this region will certainly stimulate positive economic growth through investment attraction, job creation and create further opportunities for tourism,” he said.

“Improving the transport efficiencies for businesses, employees, tourists and the community will stimulate positive economic growth.”

The following article appeared in the Ellenbrook Advocate on Wed 19th August 2015;

Three years ago, a group of Aveley boys had a vision to establish a skate park in Aveley. One petition later, their skate park dream has become reality. BOREDOM is what originally inspired four young Aveley boys to walk the neighbourhood and petition for a local skate park.

Three years on from the conception of their idea to fight boredom, the Aveley skate park has become a reality and an instant hit.

The boys identified the need for the park on a hot summer day and walked the neighbourhood to get support for it.

City of Swan councillor Natasha Cheung facilitated getting their idea and petition to council.

From there, the City got the ball rolling and the boys were called back to help with the design of the skate park, which is also frequently used by scooters. The skate park opened three weeks ago and is already so popular there are jokes about starting another petition to extend it.

Parkrun event draws 100

SCORES of dressed-up runners, joggers, pram pushers and dog walkers from across Aveley turned out on Saturday to celebrate the second anniversary of the weekly parkrun. More than 100 locals completed the scenic 5km course through Central Park and around the lake in Aveley. Free slices of parkrun birthday cake were handed out at the finish line to motivate participants to the end. The parkrun fitness phenomenon has spread rapidly across Australia, with thousands of participants gathering every Saturday morning to run 5km courses against the clock. In the two years of the Aveley parkrun, there have been 101 events, during which time more than 1200 people have covered 35,000 kilometres.

Minimum increase in rates but still major works to continue in Ellenbrook. Although the City of Swan is keeping rate increase low this year to minimize any financial impact in these challenging economic times,they are borrowing to continue with major works such as the Ellenbrook Community Building, the southern playing fields for Ellenbrook Open Space and upgrades to Gnangara Rd.

The following is an article from Ellenbrook Advocate Wednesday July 8th 2015;

THE City of Swan’s budget for 2015-16 was released last week and includes funding for major projects in Ellenbrook, Midland and the Swan Valley.

RATES in the City of Swan will climb 3.25 per cent this financial year, following a trend of low rate rises across most metropolitan local governments this year

Swan’s last budget saw a 5 per cent rate increase and a publicly unpopular special levy applied to northern properties for a bridge over the Ellen Brook, which was later repealed.

In this year’s budget, the City has aimed to minimise financial impact on ratepayers, citing the current challenging economic climate in WA.

Swan’s 3.25 per cent rate rise absorbs an 8 per cent spike in the cost of utilities.

A State Government imposed landfill levy increase of 100 per cent will also be passed on to local ratepayers through the City’s sanitation charges.

Chief executive Mike Foley said he had to balance increasing demand for amenities and services with the aim of minimising financial burden to ratepayers.

“Everyone’s feeling the pinch a bit – unemployment is up in the area a bit we’ve noticed,” he said.

“Inflation is down around 22.5 per cent so we want to make sure we’re keeping our services relative but at the same time meeting the needs of the future.”

This financial year will also see the City increase its borrowing by raising new loans to almost $15 million, costing nearly $1m a year in debt servicing.

The debt will pay for big-ticket items like Paradise Quays aged care in Ballajura, land for Dayton’s neighbourhood park, a district park for Dayton, the Ellenbrook community building and the southern playing fields for Ellenbrook District Open Space.

Expenditure this year will reach $145.9 million, of which $71.2 million will be spent on staff and $42 million will be spent on capital works.

Taking into account all budgeting factors, the City’s overall surplus is at $439,000.

“The challenge has always been to provide the infrastructure that people want and particularly to fund the new requirements of new residents coming into the area,” Mr Foley said.

“We’ve taken out a loan program of some $14.5 million to help fund those big projects.”

Mr Foley said work on upgrading Gnangara Road would continue this year, and upgrades to Lloyd Street and Bishop Road in Midland would start.

The City will also see assets from developers of new estates roll over to its portfolio.

“We’re picking up some $42 million of assets from developers this financial year and that’s in the form of roads, drainage and new parks,” Mr Foley said.

“These are assets they have to give to us on top of developer contribution plans.”

Minimum increase in rates but still major works to continue in Ellenbrook. Although the City of Swan is keeping rate increase low this year to minimize any financial impact in these challenging economic times,they are borrowing to continue with major works such as the Ellenbrook Community Building, the southern playing fields for Ellenbrook Open Space and upgrades to Gnangara Rd.

The following is an article from Ellenbrook Advocate Wednesday July 8th 2015;

THE City of Swan’s budget for 2015-16 was released last week and includes funding for major projects in Ellenbrook, Midland and the Swan Valley.

RATES in the City of Swan will climb 3.25 per cent this financial year, following a trend of low rate rises across most metropolitan local governments this year

Swan’s last budget saw a 5 per cent rate increase and a publicly unpopular special levy applied to northern properties for a bridge over the Ellen Brook, which was later repealed.

In this year’s budget, the City has aimed to minimise financial impact on ratepayers, citing the current challenging economic climate in WA.

Swan’s 3.25 per cent rate rise absorbs an 8 per cent spike in the cost of utilities.

A State Government imposed landfill levy increase of 100 per cent will also be passed on to local ratepayers through the City’s sanitation charges.

Chief executive Mike Foley said he had to balance increasing demand for amenities and services with the aim of minimising financial burden to ratepayers.

“Everyone’s feeling the pinch a bit – unemployment is up in the area a bit we’ve noticed,” he said.

“Inflation is down around 22.5 per cent so we want to make sure we’re keeping our services relative but at the same time meeting the needs of the future.”

This financial year will also see the City increase its borrowing by raising new loans to almost $15 million, costing nearly $1m a year in debt servicing.

The debt will pay for big-ticket items like Paradise Quays aged care in Ballajura, land for Dayton’s neighbourhood park, a district park for Dayton, the Ellenbrook community building and the southern playing fields for Ellenbrook District Open Space.

Expenditure this year will reach $145.9 million, of which $71.2 million will be spent on staff and $42 million will be spent on capital works.

Taking into account all budgeting factors, the City’s overall surplus is at $439,000.

“The challenge has always been to provide the infrastructure that people want and particularly to fund the new requirements of new residents coming into the area,” Mr Foley said.

“We’ve taken out a loan program of some $14.5 million to help fund those big projects.”

Mr Foley said work on upgrading Gnangara Road would continue this year, and upgrades to Lloyd Street and Bishop Road in Midland would start.

The City will also see assets from developers of new estates roll over to its portfolio.

“We’re picking up some $42 million of assets from developers this financial year and that’s in the form of roads, drainage and new parks,” Mr Foley said.

“These are assets they have to give to us on top of developer contribution plans.”

THE long-awaited northern sporting fields and pavilion at Ellenbrook District Open Space are now officially open.

Cricket teams started using the facility last October when the grass was ready but last Friday’s official opening marked the completion of the pavilion, fields, playground and paths as a whole.

Ellenbrook’s local sporting teams can now make full use of the Ellenbrook District Outdoor Space northern playing fields.

The northern playing fields have enough space for two full-size AFL ovals, five junior AFL ovals and three cricket fields.

The new pavilion has meeting rooms, change rooms, clubrooms, a bar and catering facilities.

Ellenbrook Eels Football Club and the junior Ellenbrook Dockers will soon start using the oval for training and match days.

Premier Colin Barnett said at the opening ceremony the complete projects would form one of the best and most comprehensive sport and recreation precincts in the State.

“The pavilion is quite magnificent. This is not some little sporting club pavilion, it services two very strong clubs and the wider sports and recreation complex,” he said.

“As announced in the recent budget, we’ll also provide $7 million towards the Ellenbrook Recreation Centre, a commitment we made in 2013.”

About $2 million of that funding will go towards an aquatic facility for Ellenbrook.

Construction of the southern playing fields is set to start soon.

This will include four FIFA-rated synthetic soccer fields and the Ellenbrook Recreation Centre for indoor sports such as basketball, netball and badminton.

Ellenbrook ward Councillor Patty Williams said the sporting and recreational facility would attract people from surrounding areas to Ellenbrook.

“From its inception Ellenbrook has been designed to provide for the lifestyles of a growing community,” she said.

“The Ellenbrook District Open Space will draw even more people to the area through sporting competitions, events and recreational facility use and hopefully attract more people into sport and physical activity, which will contribute to the overall wellbeing of our community.”